Postgame wrapup: Washington 95, Colorado 83

Originally published January 20, 2016 at 11:46 pm

Washington’s Malike Dime had 7 blocked shots against Colorado, including this one of George King. The University of Colorado mens basketball team played the University of Washington Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at Alaska Airlines Arena. (Dean Rutz/The Seattle Times)

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It was a rip-roaring good time for the 6,325 at Alaska Airlines Arena who witnessed a turn-back-the clock performance as the Huskies unleashed their old-school defense and an up-tempo offense on Colorado during a 95-83 win on Wednesday.

Washington improved to 13-5 overall and remained on top of the Pac-12 at 5-1.

Here’s a few notes courtesy of the UW sports information department.

TEAM NOTES
– The Huskies have forced 10 or more turnovers in all 18 game this season
– UW posted its 11th game with 80 or more points this season
– Set a school record with 15 blocks, prev. (14 vs. Santa Clara 11/24/01)
– Led by 14 at the half, their biggest half time lead since 12/12/15 against Montana where they led by 22
– UW shot 60% (18-of-30) from the field in the first half, the highest since 12/8/15 against TCU (61.8%)
– UW has had six games where three players have scored 15+ points
– In 12 of 18 games, four Huskies have scored 10 or more points
– UW shot a season high 47% (8-of-17)from behind the arc

ANDREW ANDREWS– Moved to 12th all time with 1,496 total points
– Moves to 10th all time with 73 career 10-point games
– Had his 11th game of the season with 20 or more points
– Has 20 or more points in 5 of the 6 last games
– 6th career game with 30+ points, 5th of the season

MARQUISE CHRISS– Made 11 consecutive baskets from his last basket at the Arizona game to his last basket in the Colorado game
– Had his 10th double-figure scoring game of the season
– Had a career high 5 blocks, prev. (3 vs. Oakland, 12/19/15)

MALIK DIME– Had his 6th game of the season with 10 or more points
– Had a career-high 7 blocks, the 2nd most all-time in a single game (tied with David Dixon, Matthew Bryan-Amaning)

DEJOUNTE MURRAY– Had his 13th double digit scoring game of the season

DAVID CRISP– Career high 6 assists, prev. (5 vs. Oakland, 12/19/15)

And here’s three takeaways.

CHRISS HAS GOT TO FIGURE OUT TO STAY ON THE FLOOR – The Huskies are a different team with Chriss, a 6-9 freshman who has the size of forward and the ball skills of a guard. He’s unique. He can stretch the floor offensively with a jump shot that’s consistent from long distance. He’s active around the rim. And he has a nice mid-range jumper. Chriss has scored 29 points in a game so there’s no question he has offensive gifts. The bugaboo with him is a nasty habit of collecting cheap fouls. He’s been disqualified nine times this season. That’s a lot. He’s had at least four fouls in 14 games. Tonight Chriss fouled out again, but not before scoring 17 points on 8-for-9 shooting. He collected six rebounds and had a career-high five blocks in 23 minutes. It was his best game in nearly a month.

UW MAY HAVE THE BEST BACKCOURT IN THE NATION — Andrews (33 points) and Murray (17) combined for 50 points, eight assists and 11 rebounds. They entered Wednesday’s game having accounted for 81.7 percent of UW’s scoring in Pac-12 play. If it’s possible, Andrews had a quiet 33 points. He played 12 minutes and had eight points at halftime before taking over once again in the second half when it counted. It’s a great luxury for the Huskies to put the ball in Andrews’ hands at the end of close games considering he shoots 82.8 percent on free throws. Tonight, he was 16 of 17 at the line. Meanwhile, Murray played a game-high 36 minutes and continues to make vast improvements with what had been an unreliable perimeter and free throw shot. Tonight he was 2 of 3 on three-pointers and 3 of 3 on free throws.

DIME HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE BIG TIME —- Dime finished with 10 points, but it could have been 14. Maybe 16. He had a dunk rattle in and out of the basket and the Huskies misconnected with him a couple of times with entry passes into the low post. Despite the miscues, Dime was sensational on both ends. He blocked seven shots, which is going to be on the scouting reports for upcoming opponents for a long time. The box score says Colorado’s Josh Scott was 7 of 9 from the floor, but it seemed as if he missed a few more shots because of Dime. Maybe not. But Dime got Scott for at least two blocks and that’s no small feat considering Scott, a senior, will probably be an all-conference pick this season. Dime made an impact in 25 minutes off the bench and he had just one foul after fouling out in the last outing. Dime also collected six rebounds. If we’re nitpicking, the big fella has got to know that late in games it’s better to run clock than score points. Leading 87-78, Dime collected an offensive rebound with 1:46 left and attempted a putback at the 1:41 mark. The Buffaloes collected the miss and sank a jumper to close within 87-80 with 1:33 remaining. It was a teaching moment for Romar who huddled with Dime on the court – no doubt telling him to pass the ball the next time he secures a rebound.